bābā jisu tū dehi soī janu pāvai.
pāvai ta so janu dehi jis no hori kiā karahi vecāriā.
iki bharami bhūle phirahi dahdisi iki nāmi lāgi savāriā.
gur parsādī manu bhaïā nirmalu jinā bhāṇā bhāvae.
kahai nānaku jisu dehi piāre soī janu pāvae.8.
-Guru Granth Sahib 917-918
This pauri (stanza) describes how only the grace of the Nam of IkOankar can allow individuals to be embellished with bliss. The grace of Nam allows beings to resist the powerful influence of the material world and their minds become unsullied while they begin to experience bliss.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the seventh pauri, the seventh step of the ladder, Guru Amardas revealed that the sought-after and elusive bliss can only be comprehended through the Wisdom-Guru. Moving on to the eighth pauri, the eighth step of the ladder, Guru Amardas addresses, O Baba! To whom You give, only that being receives. But who is this "Baba"? Baba denotes the ultimate wise One, the IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One). Baba encompasses both the embodiment of IkOankar and those who manifest, express, and embody the Wisdom. In this context, "Baba" signifies IkOankar. We pause. Guru Amardas reiterates that the gift of bliss is granted solely by IkOankar, and only those graced by this gift can truly experience it. No efforts of the others, the poor ones, can lead to the reception or experience of this bliss. Entangled in doubts, some wander aimlessly across various directions—East, West, North, South, Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest, from the zenith to the bedrock. Conversely, others are adorned and beautified by Nam, Identification with the One. Those who humbly receive the grace of the Wisdom-Guru, those who willingly and graciously accept the Divine Command, transform their minds into pristine, untainted spaces, cleansed from impurities. Guru Amardas concludes this ladder step, reiterating, O Beloved! To whom You give, only that being receives.
We reflect. In the prior step of this ladder, bliss was expounded without addressing a specific entity. However, in this step, the focus shifts to the wise IkOankar—the wise One, the wise Divine. This encompasses those embodying IkOankar and aligning their lives with the Wisdom. This benevolent entity’s grace bestows the gift of bliss, and it is solely those upon whom this grace descends who can truly experience it. It is a gift, an act of grace. We pause. Such gift-giving is intricately interwoven with relationships, evoking a spectrum of emotions. The depth of these emotions mirrors the profundity of the relationship. The nature of receiving and giving gifts is intertwined with the fabric of relationships and emotions they evoke. Reflecting this, if the experience of bliss is conferred through grace, akin to a gift, what steps can we take to partake in it? A subtle indication emerges for those aspiring to embrace this bliss: embracing and following the Command with love, willingness, and sweetness. By adopting this awareness in our consciousness, doubts, delusions, and aimless wandering dissipate. Graciously accepting Command uplifts the mind, dissolving its darkness and impurities. Ethos, objectives, and values become Wisdom-centered. Those embraced by Nam receive this gift, this bliss. Nam enhances them. Nam beautifies them. Nam facilitates the experience. Nam eradicates doubts. Nam adorns them. All of this and more unfolds through grace. Nothing can transpire without grace, for all of these are the gifts from the “Baba,” from IkOankar, the One, the Divine. A compassionate acknowledgment is made toward those not yet immersed in this bliss, for they, like us, may not comprehend how to accept the bestowed gift; what can the poor ones do? We pause. There’s no blame, no condemnation, no reprimand—only compassion. Could this invaluable gift of bliss elude our grasp due to our failure to perceive its significance? Grace is always present, but do we know how to receive it? When we receive a gift, we often fail to recognize its value, and it is discarded. Could it be that we are neglecting this precious gift of bliss because we fail to understand its worth? Perhaps that is why our minds drift, causing us distress as we fail to recognize this priceless gift. As the mind embraces the Command, it becomes unblemished, unsullied, and receptive to receiving the grace.
We may ask ourselves: Do we wish to end our doubts and wanderings? If so, what actions are we willing to take? This step mentions a singular human effort—accepting whatever unfolds as the pleasing Will of the wise "Baba," the beloved IkOankar. Do we please the will of babas in religious disguise who prey on us? Are we ready to embrace the Command, willingly and unquestioningly, imbuing our lives with its sweetness?
We reflect. In the prior step of this ladder, bliss was expounded without addressing a specific entity. However, in this step, the focus shifts to the wise IkOankar—the wise One, the wise Divine. This encompasses those embodying IkOankar and aligning their lives with the Wisdom. This benevolent entity’s grace bestows the gift of bliss, and it is solely those upon whom this grace descends who can truly experience it. It is a gift, an act of grace. We pause. Such gift-giving is intricately interwoven with relationships, evoking a spectrum of emotions. The depth of these emotions mirrors the profundity of the relationship. The nature of receiving and giving gifts is intertwined with the fabric of relationships and emotions they evoke. Reflecting this, if the experience of bliss is conferred through grace, akin to a gift, what steps can we take to partake in it? A subtle indication emerges for those aspiring to embrace this bliss: embracing and following the Command with love, willingness, and sweetness. By adopting this awareness in our consciousness, doubts, delusions, and aimless wandering dissipate. Graciously accepting Command uplifts the mind, dissolving its darkness and impurities. Ethos, objectives, and values become Wisdom-centered. Those embraced by Nam receive this gift, this bliss. Nam enhances them. Nam beautifies them. Nam facilitates the experience. Nam eradicates doubts. Nam adorns them. All of this and more unfolds through grace. Nothing can transpire without grace, for all of these are the gifts from the “Baba,” from IkOankar, the One, the Divine. A compassionate acknowledgment is made toward those not yet immersed in this bliss, for they, like us, may not comprehend how to accept the bestowed gift; what can the poor ones do? We pause. There’s no blame, no condemnation, no reprimand—only compassion. Could this invaluable gift of bliss elude our grasp due to our failure to perceive its significance? Grace is always present, but do we know how to receive it? When we receive a gift, we often fail to recognize its value, and it is discarded. Could it be that we are neglecting this precious gift of bliss because we fail to understand its worth? Perhaps that is why our minds drift, causing us distress as we fail to recognize this priceless gift. As the mind embraces the Command, it becomes unblemished, unsullied, and receptive to receiving the grace.
We may ask ourselves: Do we wish to end our doubts and wanderings? If so, what actions are we willing to take? This step mentions a singular human effort—accepting whatever unfolds as the pleasing Will of the wise "Baba," the beloved IkOankar. Do we please the will of babas in religious disguise who prey on us? Are we ready to embrace the Command, willingly and unquestioningly, imbuing our lives with its sweetness?
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